A Postal Unions Fight Against Modernization
As this country’s Post Office
tries to modernize so it can be sold to the private sector, the unions are
fighting back.
Below is the latest letter
from the Canadian Union Of Postal Workers or CUPW http://www.cupw.ca
Considering that their
contract is ending on the last day of January 2011 this might be just the
beginning.
December 2, 2010
On November 22, after 9 weeks of working with the new Modern Post
model, Letter Carriers in Winnipeg walked off the job. We decided that it was
important that we would go to Winnipeg to hear first hand what caused the
Carriers to walk out; and what we heard was quite disturbing.
Two Bundles Cause Injuries and Pressure
Letter Carriers feel pressure and distress with the new model;
they told us that they do not feel safe delivering the mail using the two
bundle system. The new delivery method has forced carriers to carry a load on
their forearm which is unstable as it contains not only flats but manual sorted
letters. To further complicate the process, the Carriers are expected to
somehow be able to incorporate the handling of several sets of house holders as
well. Several Carriers have been injured since the implementation of the new
work method both from having to trap the mail awkwardly in their arms and not
being able to have a view of their feet or the ground. One of the workers
stated that the Corporation must have confused “forearm” with “forearms” when
developing the model.
With the implementation of the two wave system, workers are
pressured to depart as soon as possible to make way for the second wave.
However, the process is so poorly managed that departure times are routinely
delayed.
Supervisors Carry One Bundle
Staff is lacking and in fact CPC is offering overtime on weekends
to deliver walks and supervisors are delivering as well. We have also
discovered that supervisors from other cities are coming to deliver the mail.
On an extremely frustrating note, supervisors are not obliged to follow the two
bundle method and are allowed to sort all the mail into the case. While at the
same time these Supervisors threaten Letter Carriers with suspensions if they
do the same.
Plant Staffing a Problem
We took the opportunity to speak with members in the plant as
well, in total we spoke with more than 500members. We heard the same
frustration and distress from plant workers. There is not enough staff and the
lack of rotation of duties is causing many health and safety problems.
Delays and Service problems
Another theme we heard that resonated throughout the city was the
employer’s disregard for service. Walks are not getting delivered everyday, in
some instances portions of walks are not getting out for days. In the plant
mail is sitting without getting processed while commitment dates are getting
changed as often as one changes underwear. Members have said that when they
raise service problems to management it is like talking to a wall.
CUPW Brings Problems to the Bargaining table
On Monday November 29, we had a meeting of the main table for
negotiations and raised the problems that the workers in Winnipeg were
experiencing. We stated that things need to be addressed now and in the
meantime, the employer should stop rolling out the Modern Post. The employer’s
response: “We will not stop implementations as we need to see a return on our
investment and that we are working on the other problems.”
It is obvious, for the employer profits come before people and
service. On November 25, the membership demonstrated their support for our
brothers and sisters in Winnipeg. We have to continue our solidarity and send a
message to the employer negotiate now or on the street. The struggle
continues.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President
As this country’s Post Office
tries to modernize so it can be sold to the private sector, the unions are
fighting back.
Below is the latest letter
from the Canadian Union Of Postal Workers or CUPW http://www.cupw.ca
Considering that their
contract is ending on the last day of January 2011 this might be just the
beginning.
December 2, 2010
On November 22, after 9 weeks of working with the new Modern Post
model, Letter Carriers in Winnipeg walked off the job. We decided that it was
important that we would go to Winnipeg to hear first hand what caused the
Carriers to walk out; and what we heard was quite disturbing.
Two Bundles Cause Injuries and Pressure
Letter Carriers feel pressure and distress with the new model;
they told us that they do not feel safe delivering the mail using the two
bundle system. The new delivery method has forced carriers to carry a load on
their forearm which is unstable as it contains not only flats but manual sorted
letters. To further complicate the process, the Carriers are expected to
somehow be able to incorporate the handling of several sets of house holders as
well. Several Carriers have been injured since the implementation of the new
work method both from having to trap the mail awkwardly in their arms and not
being able to have a view of their feet or the ground. One of the workers
stated that the Corporation must have confused “forearm” with “forearms” when
developing the model.
With the implementation of the two wave system, workers are
pressured to depart as soon as possible to make way for the second wave.
However, the process is so poorly managed that departure times are routinely
delayed.
Supervisors Carry One Bundle
Staff is lacking and in fact CPC is offering overtime on weekends
to deliver walks and supervisors are delivering as well. We have also
discovered that supervisors from other cities are coming to deliver the mail.
On an extremely frustrating note, supervisors are not obliged to follow the two
bundle method and are allowed to sort all the mail into the case. While at the
same time these Supervisors threaten Letter Carriers with suspensions if they
do the same.
Plant Staffing a Problem
We took the opportunity to speak with members in the plant as
well, in total we spoke with more than 500members. We heard the same
frustration and distress from plant workers. There is not enough staff and the
lack of rotation of duties is causing many health and safety problems.
Delays and Service problems
Another theme we heard that resonated throughout the city was the
employer’s disregard for service. Walks are not getting delivered everyday, in
some instances portions of walks are not getting out for days. In the plant
mail is sitting without getting processed while commitment dates are getting
changed as often as one changes underwear. Members have said that when they
raise service problems to management it is like talking to a wall.
CUPW Brings Problems to the Bargaining table
On Monday November 29, we had a meeting of the main table for
negotiations and raised the problems that the workers in Winnipeg were
experiencing. We stated that things need to be addressed now and in the
meantime, the employer should stop rolling out the Modern Post. The employer’s
response: “We will not stop implementations as we need to see a return on our
investment and that we are working on the other problems.”
It is obvious, for the employer profits come before people and
service. On November 25, the membership demonstrated their support for our
brothers and sisters in Winnipeg. We have to continue our solidarity and send a
message to the employer negotiate now or on the street. The struggle
continues.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President
